NBC Brings "Nonstop" to KNBC

Last year KNBC said it had no plans to launch a Los Angeles version of its new New York-based digital channel "NY Nonstop."

Times change -- and a "Nonstop" channel is indeed in the works out here, and could launch as soon as next month. But the catch: NBC is plotting a "California Nonstop" channel that would be run as a joint effort between the Peacock's Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego TV stations.

Broadcasting and Cable broke the news last week:

Each channel will feature around eight hours of local programming, as well as franchise programs such as Talk Stoop and lifestyle shows such as First Look and Open House from NBC's LX production wing. The channels are expected to grow their local output over time.

"It's a real effort to increase local programming in our markets," says Local Media President John Wallace.

The joint California channel will cover the broader state issues and topics of interest, as opposed to the more hyper-local affairs tackled on the stations' "Locals Only" Websites. KNBC Los Angeles, KNSD San Diego and KNTV San Francisco will all contribute to California Nonstop.

NBC Local Media's "content center" production model enables the stations to broadcast programming to any number of platforms, including TV, the Web, and, increasingly, the Nonstop channels.

A "California Nonstop" channel is expected to replace KNBC's "News Raw" feed (airing on digital 4.2).